Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
This week’s Friday Flight is brought to you by Future West Moto. Future West Moto is the name in the West that has quickly gathered a large, fun, family oriented following. Round 7 of the Canadian Kawasaki Future West Moto South series goes July 11th and 12th in Pemberton at the Green River Motocross Club’s track. The schedule for the upcoming Future West Moto Canadian Arenacross Series has recently been released and once again this series promises to provide entertainment for all members of the family. The series will see the new venue of Abbotsford, BC as a welcomed addition to this series that will run for five weekends. Future West Moto is actively pursuing partnerships for those interested in teaming with a fun-filled, family oriented winning product. If you would like to team with Future West Moto for the Canadian Fall Classic of Motocross, e-mail fwmstu@hotmail.com.
Kyle Biro grabs the holeshot on day one of the 2015 WCAN. photo by Martin Hansen
Once again friends the weekend is upon us and it is time for the official launch here at the site with the ‘Friday Flight’. It has once again been a crazy busy week out here in the West as well as across the country – Moto related. Even though the National series approaches its second weekend off, the local race scene and build up to the Amateur Nationals are in full swing. I am sitting in my van here at this year’s edition of the WCAN in Raymond, Alberta as day one is now in the history books – more on that in a minute. It seems the main difference, at the moment, in Canadian Moto, or North America for that matter, from East to West is the weather. I cannot believe that summer is upon us, race season has just shifted into high gear and I am still writing about the weather. Well, it is news and it is relevant as most of you who endured the mud at the Moto Park Cup this past weekend are most likely in agreement. I read something online yesterday that said the cooler and wetter than normal trend will continue in the East, at least for the first half of summer. So where does this leave us? No searing heat and humidity at Gopher Dunes this year? Another mudder at Deschambault? If I could insert an answer to both of those it would be an emphatic no.
Most Motocrossers have learned to make the best out of any situation, be it good or bad. Even though I was not there it looked like the Moto Park Cup was once again a success. I would like to congratulate all involved who stuck it out in the mud and got the results they were after. A good way to spend two solid race weekends at a great facility run by good people with a change to add another feather or two to next year’s resume. Out in the West we have been in full on heatwave and drought mode all spring. I spent this past weekend sitting in the announcer’s chair at Round 6 of the Canadian Kawasaki Future West Moto South Series. My commute down to Chilliwack on Saturday afternoon was quite eventful as a massive accident added over 2 hours to what should have been a 5 hour commute. When I landed up at the Popkum Motor Park it was around 35 degrees and the thermometer was still on the way up leaving me wonder how gruelling race day would be on Sunday.
After a strong performance in Regina two weeks, Kyle Biro is one of the riders to beat at this weeks WCAN. photo by Martin Hansen
Racing on Sunday turned out to be great as by mid-day, even though the temperature did not drop that much, the clouds rolled in. This went a long way to helping keep the dust down, and the track at Popkum was on point as usual. The crew there seemed to up their game on race day, and there were a few new added surprises to an already great layout. Ryan Lockhart, who would welcome the change back to the local racing scene, said the track was a ton of fun and that the crew did a great job providing a challenging and fun circuit. I am not sure what the exact number of entries were but there were full gates in most classes. I did notice that there were a few less in the Pro Am as some of our local racers who are committed to the national scene were absent. Absent or present, the day would belong to Lockhart at the top level and it put a smile on my face to see him ride with some swagger. Sitting in with me for the last Vet Moto was his fiancée, Randi Ormond. Her and I quickly observed a few laps into the Moto that Ryan had a flat rear tire. Yes, he knew it too. Every time he launched the highway-side tabletop jump I looked at Randi and said, “He’s still jumping.” What can you do, Ryan is a competitor and will ride it out as long as he feels it is safe. Who am I to question that as I must say I was super impressed with his ability to shut down his 2015 National bid in Calgary after things that could have been a whole lot worse went sideways? Ryan is a great ambassador and a great example to many of our future in the West and leads by example. It is always nice to see that encouragement to go fast and twist the throttle hard, but the reality of making longevity equal happiness in this sport sometimes means backing it off too. Once again, nice work Ryan. I know you’re saving a little something in the gas tank for the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can. An honourable mention goes to Valley Moto Sport rider Carson McQueen from Kelowna as he rode as good as I have observed all season and took second overall in the weekend’s Pro Am.
I would like to speak a few words on the award presentation by Future West Moto this past weekend at Popkum. This past spring we lost one of our own as Gord Stewart passed suddenly at the age of 37. Gord was a loving son, father and a valued member of our close knit community. Gord, like myself, was a paraplegic and never let his disability get in the way of his love for his family or Motocross, especially his son Jordan. Future West Moto decided to put up an annual award to recognize a member of our community for their outstanding dedication and commitment to bettering the sport in Gord’s honour. I was overwhelmingly shocked to be called on as a co-recipient of this award with my colleague John Bowman. John is a first class individual who is involved in BC Motocross at many many levels and puts in countless hours. He is full value for having his name be the first on this trophy. As for myself, I cannot thank every member of our Future West team enough for the collective efforts they have put in to have us scripting a blue print for success on so many levels. I guess the best way to describe the moment and sum up how I felt about being chosen would be similar to when the captain of a team goes to Center ice to pick up a championship trophy. You know darn well he did not do it or earn it by himself and it was more the result of a great team effort. That is certainly how I felt on Sunday. A special thanks and congratulations to my friend John Bowman and each and every one of my teammates, as when I look at this trophy it is your faces I will see.
Now that I am parked here at the WCAN I cannot thank Ryno Power Sports Supplements Canada and Donny Ellis from Pro Action Suspension enough for putting together a deal to make this happen. Raymond is about an 11 hour drive from my place in the Okanagan; life on the road this summer seems to be my home. I feel very fortunate to have the support of some great people in the Moto world. If you would have tried to tell me a few years ago when I was released after 9 plus months of hospitalization that this is the path my life would take, I would have never believed it. This year’s WCAN track is of the best I have seen and the crew here have worked tirelessly to make it all as good as it can possibly be. They have worked together and by all accounts everyone who has made the trek is glad they did. With the Yamaha Factory Ride on the line and Silver Sprocket up for grabs, there is a lot at stake for all competitors. No, not everyone can win or reach the podium, but if you are one of those fortunate enough to do so you will have a cool memory as well as some cool resume ammunition to be proud of. These Amateur National events are not only great competitive accomplishments to have but also provide riders and their families with some memories they will have for a long long time. Weekend and club races are great friends, but an amateur national event and memory is worth every ounce of the effort. We still have two left, the ECAN at Deschambault is just on the horizon July 24, 25, & 26 and the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can is Aug 12-16th.
Before we touch down into the final two days of racing action here at the WCAN, I would like to mention something really cool that is happening in the West in August. The same weekend as the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can. On Aug 15th & 16th at the Whispering Pines Racetrack in Kamloops, BC, four time Women’s Pro Motocross Champion and two time X-Games Gold Medalist Ashley Fiolek will be in town to host a two day riding clinic. The school is open to 24 riders and will run Saturday and Sunday with only 12 riders per day. There is an option to sign up and ride both days or simply just the one. It is $100 per day and can be booked by contacting Ladies class racer from Leading Edge Motorsports Team Zoey Shamley at zoeyshamley@hotmail.com. There have been 13 spots already taken so I would suggest getting on this as soon as possible if you are interested. Ashley is now retired from Pro Motocross competition and has made a concerted effort to pass on some of her vast knowledge and incredible skills. This is an amazingly unique opportunity for some of you up and comers or weekend warriors to learn from one of the best Women’s Motocrossers ever. The school is open to all ages and abilities of Ladies Class riders.
Wherever you get to this weekend friends, do your best to start safe and I hope to see you at a race soon.
Lets Go Racing!!
Until next ‘Friday Flight‘ Airmail’ out………………….
